The Bourse

A historic building on Independence Mall with a food court and specialty shops

Stopping for lunch at The Bourse. Credit: Courtesy of The Bourse

Description

The Shops at The Bourse

Located adjacent to Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall (directly across the Mall from The Liberty Bell Center), The Bourse offers a convenient resting spot while you sight-see. The 105-year-old Victorian building — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — houses a food court and specialty shops.

Looking to pick up a souvenir from your Philadelphia trip? The Bourse is the place, with several gift shops on the premises.

Lunch options include an authentic Philly cheesesteak, pizza or a classic deli sandwich, in addition to Mexican, Japanese and Japanese options. And if you’re visiting Historic Philadelphia as a group, consider the Box Lunch program, in which you work with a Bourse food court vendor to plan the right meal for your group. Click here to learn more.

So while you tour Historic Philadelphia, definitely make a stop at The Bourse, whether for a bite, a shopping break or just to explore the historic building.

History

The concept of The Bourse — meaning a “place of exchange” — was brought to Philadelphia in 1890 by George E. Bartol, a prosperous Philadelphia grain and commodities exporter. The Philadelphia Bourse Building, the first commodities exchange in the United States, was completed in 1895. The building was one of the first steel-framed buildings to ever be constructed.

Kaiserman Company, Inc. purchased The Philadelphia Bourse Building in 1979, renaming it “The Bourse” and adapting it as a retail and office complex.

Celebrating more than 100 years as a center for commerce and trade, The Bourse is now one of Philadelphia’s leading commercial complexes, home to 24 retail and food service stores and more than 50 businesses.